Residents across England were jolted awake in the early hours of Thursday morning as a significant earthquake struck, with tremors reported from its epicentre in Lancashire all the way to the capital.
Seismic Event Details and Immediate Impact
The British Geological Survey (BGS) confirmed the earthquake had a magnitude of 3.3 on the Richter scale, with some of its data indicating a slightly higher reading of 3.4. The seismic event occurred at 11.23 pm on Wednesday night, originating at a shallow depth of approximately 1.86 miles (3 kilometres) beneath Lancashire.
The BGS told Sky News that ground movement was felt "across the South Lakes and Lancashire, mainly within 20 kilometres of the epicentre", specifically naming areas including Lancashire itself, Kendal, and Ulverston. However, reports quickly emerged from much farther afield.
By Thursday morning, the BGS had received over 1,056 reports from people who felt the quake. Social media and direct reports described homes shaking violently, accompanied by loud rumbling and roaring sounds from underground.
Eyewitness Accounts: 'The Whole House Shook'
Residents in the affected areas provided vivid descriptions of the frightening experience. One individual described the sensation as "like an explosion and vibration coming from underground," while another stated it was "so powerful to shake the whole house." Others reported hearing what sounded like "bricks falling" or the roof collapsing.
A local from Carnforth in Lancashire conveyed their terror to Volcano Discovery, saying, "I thought something had crashed into the house or [the house was] falling down! Very scary and never felt anything like that before." Another Carnforth resident believed a vehicle had collided with their building.
The effects were not confined to the North West. Someone in Blackpool reported their room shaking side-to-side for up to five seconds. Remarkably, a resident in Chelsea, London, also experienced a "weak shaking," demonstrating the quake's extensive reach.
Context and Frequency of UK Earthquakes
According to Volcano Discovery, this event marks the second earthquake of magnitude 3.0 or above to hit Great Britain within a 24-hour period. A spokesperson noted, "In the past 24 hours, England has had two quakes of magnitude 3.0, the largest being a 3.4 quake."
The data reveals a broader picture of seismic activity in the region. Since the start of 2025, England has recorded 66 quakes with magnitudes up to 3.4. This breakdown includes:
- Five quakes above magnitude 3.
- Sixteen quakes between magnitude 2 and 3.
- Forty-five quakes below magnitude 2, which are typically not felt by the public.
Annually, the BGS typically detects and locates between 200 and 300 earthquakes within the UK, though most are minor. This latest event serves as a potent reminder that the UK is not immune to noticeable seismic activity, capable of startling residents and shaking homes across a wide area.
